Official 2015 College Football Championship week thread

[Solecismic]

Great game tonight. It helps to have an MSU grad with you when watch them come out on top. I wouldn't count the Spartans out against the other three teams - especially if Cook gets healthy.

That true freshman RB Scott is something else. He wasn't even supposed to be the starter this year.

Looks like the committee got lucky again with an easy four to pick - even easier to pick than last year.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by ColtCrazy

I'm usually a Sparty fan after IU, but I was rooting for Iowa tonight. Would have been a great story to see the Hawkeyes in the playoff. Alas. Still, damn good game. And anyone over Ohio St. wins in my book.

It's like I'm looking in a mirror.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

They will get outcoached but the level of talent on Clemsons defense and the one dimensional bama offense leaves this game a toss up. Hard to dominate a great defense with one threat.

I just don't see Clemson being able to move the ball without Watson being highly effective. And I don't believe he can be highly effective against the Bama defense. I like the kid's game, quite a bit in fact, I just don't think he's seen anything like what he'll see.

And I believe Coker will do enough to allow Henry to be effective, especially in the second half.

I'm not expecting Bama to hang 50 or anything. I just anticipate one of those ultimately dull thorough domination things.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Looks like the committee got lucky again with an easy four to pick - even easier to pick than last year.

That's not luck, that's just college football these days. It's pretty rare that isn't the case IMO.

Would have been just as easy to pick two.

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I just don't see Clemson being able to move the ball without Watson being highly effective. And I don't believe he can be highly effective against the Bama defense. I like the kid's game, quite a bit in fact, I just don't think he's seen anything like what he'll see.

And I believe Coker will do enough to allow Henry to be effective, especially in the second half.

I'm not expecting Bama to hang 50 or anything. I just anticipate one of those ultimately dull thorough domination things.

Jon , of the 3 teams headed to the playoffs, Bama scares me least.

Clemson will hang 35 plus on Bama.

Bama is a shell of themselves this year.

Don't forget, this Florida team they couldn't put away got SMOKED last week against FSU with Jimbo headed out the door.

The SEC is way down this year.

[Logan]

That was the most unprompted and random trolling I've seen in a long time.

[tarcone]

Well, I've had a much better morning. Though it was at the expense of my wife. I posted "Depressed" on my wife's facebook. I don't have an account.
Her Dad called this morning at 7 am and a bunch of people are sending messages and prayers to my wife. Yes, I am laughing. She is pretty peeved at me.

I hope the Rose picks Iowa.

[Schmidty]

I'm so happy today!!!!!

Didn't get to watch it until this morning!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

[Schmidty]

Iowa is a hell of a team. Hope you get the Rose Bowl.

[Julio Riddols]

This thread was like.. Total Recoil, man.

Window licking mutant is a hilariously off the wall, ridiculous insult. It's something I would expect to hear my character yell in Fallout.

FWIW I wanted Iowa to win too, because I love those stories where a team comes out of nowhere and makes noise.

[MrBug708]

McCaffrey deserves the Heisman but I don't think he gets it

[CU Tiger]

Kind of agree, Mr. Bug.

To me, and obviously I am biased, Watson is the best player, McCaffrey has had the best season and Henry will win it because, 'BAMA!

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Recoil

Tarcone, how's it like to face a real team?

At first I wondered if this was kind of a friendly jabbing. Then i read the rest of your posts and realized you are a troll of the highest degree. iowa and their fans should be proud as hell. If facing a real team and losing by a FG in a hard fought contest is poor, you simply don't understand this game.

What a great night of football. McCaffrey had an amazing game against USC, the Air Force/San Diego St game is the best game nobody watched, a great couple of championship games (only marred by the horrific offside call, that ref should lose his job)

Looking forward to the playoff. Not a fan at all of MSU, Oklahoma or Alabama. I think I'll cheer for Clemson, Michigan St, Oklahoma and Alabama in that order.

[digamma]

With all of the talk yesterday of Henry breaking Herschel Walker's SEC single season rushing record, I started thinking about how to compare them. My first thought was to discount Henry immediately because his record is over 13 games and Walker's was in 11. But Walker needed 385 carries in 1981 to Henry's 339 this year.

Sort of the same thing going on with McCaffrey and Barry Sanders with the All Purpose yards record.

I think I'd argue Henry faced easier competition, getting a game against FCS and also Middle Tennessee and Louisiana Monroe. Still interesting to think about and kind of strange how similar the stats are. Henry has 97 receiving yards and Walker had 84. Henry is a total throwback.

And yes, tend to agree he might win because of Bama and all that.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

McCaffrey deserves the Heisman but I don't think he gets it

He clearly deserves the Heisman and I don't think it's that close. Just rushing, he comes close to matching Henry. 1,986 to 1,847 with Henry getting more carries. Receiving? 540 yards to 97 yards for McCaffrey. Then McCaffrey has another 1,100 yards on returns and 7 special teams tackles to boot?

Henry is a great player, but I'm going to be sick when he wins that award.

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by TroyF

great couple of championship games (only marred by the horrific offside call, that ref should lose his job)

Actually, it was the right call and I am not sure why the talking heads are missing the explanation that was given by the ACC last night.

offsides.jpg

NCAA rules require all KO tea members to be inside the "9 yard hash" at the time the ball is kicked. The far side outside guy "loops" inside the hash. The near side player did not and gunned right down the field outside the hash.

Look at the replay, the flag comes out immediately, well before the recovery. No controversy here.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

Actually, it was the right call and I am not sure why the talking heads are missing the explanation that was given by the ACC last night.

Because controversy sells.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

Actually, it was the right call and I am not sure why the talking heads are missing the explanation that was given by the ACC last night.

Attachment 5827

NCAA rules require all KO tea members to be inside the "9 yard hash" at the time the ball is kicked. The far side outside guy "loops" inside the hash. The near side player did not and gunned right down the field outside the hash.

Look at the replay, the flag comes out immediately, well before the recovery. No controversy here.

wow, learn something new everyday. very well then.

[CU Tiger]

FWIW I didnt know that either until it was said last night.

[MrBug708]

Hopefully the PAC-12 will learn that 9 conference games only hurts the conference. The other conferences *cough* SEC *cough* know that it's not about playing tough teams, it's about playing the weakest schedule so that you can lose as few games as possible.

[HomerSimpson98]

All this anti-SEC bullshit here makes me hope Bama wins both games they play 59-0. And I really dont like posting that.

[MrBug708]

Now you know how everyone else feels when we watch anything about college football

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson98

All this anti-SEC bullshit here makes me hope Bama wins both games they play 59-0. And I really dont like posting that.

Don't worry Bama will win the NC.. as much as I don't want that to happen.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

Actually, it was the right call and I am not sure why the talking heads are missing the explanation that was given by the ACC last night.

NCAA rules require all KO tea members to be inside the "9 yard hash" at the time the ball is kicked. The far side outside guy "loops" inside the hash. The near side player did not and gunned right down the field outside the hash.

Look at the replay, the flag comes out immediately, well before the recovery. No controversy here.

FWIW, this isn't the explanation that the ACC coordinator of officials gave. His quote last night was that an official saw a UNC player break the plane.

My guess is he said that before discussing with the full crew, but that quote was out there and in a lot of the recounts of the game.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Hopefully the PAC-12 will learn that 9 conference games only hurts the conference. The other conferences *cough* SEC *cough* know that it's not about playing tough teams, it's about playing the weakest schedule so that you can lose as few games as possible.

I actually admit the SEC East wasn't good. I think the SEC West was pretty tough. Just googling on some strength of schedule ranking and you'll see the Arkansas (and AL) were ranked pretty high up there.

As always, I would never bet against Saban and AL. They've got a fair shot to beat any team on any given day.

I'm looking forward to the playoffs ... how the heck did it take us so long to get them.

[britrock88]

Just realized that Sak _could have been_ the one to throw that offsides flag, and I really hope he wasn't.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by britrock88

Just realized that Sak _could have been_ the one to throw that offsides flag, and I really hope he wasn't.

Per his FB, it does not appear to me that Sak worked that game, so he's good.

[HomerSimpson98]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Now you know how everyone else feels when we watch anything about college football

Yeah, I can definitely see that. I just dont get the venom. Whether anyone wants to admit it, the SEC has been pretty damn good the past few seasons. This year, it is waaay down and the Bama team going, while excellent defensively, has serious offense concerns. Frankly, any of the 4 can win this thing, depending on matchups. OU is the weakest of the bunch, IMO.

Personally, I think Sparty is the most dangerous team in the final 4.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson98

I just dont get the venom.

Really? If you could watch a weekend of college football as a non-SEC fan you'd understand. ESPN crams the SEC down everyone's throats because they've put so much money into it.

Non-SEC top 10 team loses it's because the conference just isn't as good as we thought.

SEC Top 10 team loses it's because the SEC is so strong top to bottom.

They've taken the same thing they've done with the ACC and Duke in basketball and applied it to the SEC.

Fans have been turning against the SEC because the rhetoric is getting old and people are tired of being told how their conference is inferior to the SEC on a weekly basis.

[cuervo72]

Not just ESPN.

https://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-.../view?id=42760

[tarcone]

Iowa to the Rose Bowl.

Good stuff. Im happy that is the consolation prize. Very happy.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson98

All this anti-SEC bullshit here makes me hope Bama wins both games they play 59-0. And I really dont like posting that.

I feel the same way. That is despite having to live in an area with a high population of Gator fans, a brother in law who is a obnoxious Bama fan and have worked with a guy who came into the office every day for six years screaming "WAR EAGLE!"

[miami_fan]

That being said I get it, they have won too much and their fan bases are irritating.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by digamma

FWIW, this isn't the explanation that the ACC coordinator of officials gave. His quote last night was that an official saw a UNC player break the plane.

My guess is he said that before discussing with the full crew, but that quote was out there and in a lot of the recounts of the game.

Here is the ACC's official statement:

“The 35-yard line is treated as a plane and if any part of a player breaks that plane before the ball is kicked it’s offsides. The officials saw a member of the kicking team break the plane before the ball was kicked.”

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by britrock88

Just realized that Sak _could have been_ the one to throw that offsides flag, and I really hope he wasn't.

Thanks man...it wasn't me. As a rookie I won't be doing that level of a game (or bowl game) this season. But I did work a playoff game last week and work one this week.

[britrock88]

My only other Carolina gripe will be this: at #10 (thanks for keeping us put, committee), I understand how the chips fell and why we're the first team out of the New Year's Six. But the fallback is the Russell Athletic Bowl? srsly?

[CU Tiger]

That's on the ACC.
Though I must admit when Clemson played in it last year it was a good time and well organized.

The years where the Peach is a NY6 the Russel Athletic bowl is the ACC #1 tie in. You can still call in the Tangerine Bowl if it feels better, we did.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson98

All this anti-SEC bullshit here makes me hope Bama wins both games they play 59-0. And I really dont like posting that.

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Don't worry Bama will win the NC.. as much as I don't want that to happen.

It's ok, guys. It only took a few years for A&M and Mizzou fans to join the "SEC!" fans for real, so we don't really blame YOU.

[jbergey22]

Lots of Michigan State love all of a sudden and well I am not real sure why.

Michigan State early in the season was scoring points without any real issues but couldnt stop anyone. Later in the season their defense came around but the offense lost its rhythm. Yes, the Ohio State and Iowa wins were impressive in that they had to crawl, fight, and scratch to get them wins. I think we were all kind of expecting Ohio State to fall as they just werent playing well and winning a lot of games without playing their best ball. I dont want to take anything away from Iowa's magical season but despite being undefeated they were still ranked around 20-30th in the computer rankings.

My odds would look something like this
Alabama +150
Clemson +200
Oklahoma +350
Michigan State +900

I also see Clemson is 4 point underdogs in their game against Oklahoma. Kind of surprising line IMO.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Don't worry Bama will win the NC

And I'm actually not at all sure about that.

I don't like an Oklahoma matchup for them on just a week's preparation.
And I rate OU-Clemson a completely wide open toss up.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

That's on the ACC.
Though I must admit when Clemson played in it last year it was a good time and well organized.

The years where the Peach is a NY6 the Russel Athletic bowl is the ACC #1 tie in. You can still call in the Tangerine Bowl if it feels better, we did.

But it's not THE Tangerine Bowl. That's the Citrus

This is the old Blockbuster (later CarQuest) Bowl.

[Butter]

Oklahoma - Clemson has both teams looking for motivation...

Oklahoma has it in losing 40-6 in the bowl game last year, albeit to a much better Clemson defense.

Clemson has it in Oklahoma opening as a 3 point favorite.

Also find the Alabama love very interesting. This is a team that lost to the highest ranked team it played in convincing fashion. All of the other teams in the playoff have at least 3 wins over teams ranked in the top-20. 'Bama has 2, over #19 and #20.

'Bama is getting a good matchup in the first round, but they are going to struggle against whichever team they play in the final, if they can even make it past Michigan State. But I think Michigan State will be able to hold that offense to 10 points or less. Henry is a good back, but I also might be able to get 100 yards behind their offensive line if you gave me 45 carries a game.

[Kodos]

And in the battle of unlikeables, we have Ohio State vs. Notre Dame. Who to root against more?!? Gotta give the edge to the Golden Domes.

[Butter]

Was trying to remember the last time the Fiesta Bowl was on during the daytime. Scheduled for a 1 PM eastern start, which will be 11 AM local time.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Was trying to remember the last time the Fiesta Bowl was on during the daytime. Scheduled for a 1 PM eastern start, which will be 11 AM local time.

Per Wikipedia ... last year was a 4pm eastern start

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

That being said I get it, they have won too much and their fan bases are irritating.

This is the gist of it...no matter what perspective you start from. I dont like the PAC and their annoying fans when they are winning either.

[tarcone]

Michigan State has a beast of an offensive line. They will wear Alabama down. And MSU has a very good defensive line.
They will beat Alabama.

I predict Clemson Vs. Michigan St. in the final.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Per Wikipedia ... last year was a 4pm eastern start

Before last year then, because I didn't watch it last year.

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Michigan State has a beast of an offensive line. They will wear Alabama down. And MSU has a very good defensive line.
They will beat Alabama.

I predict Clemson Vs. Michigan St. in the final.

That is what makes the Bama MSU game interesting.
Bama's greatest strength is their depth of D linemen. They are legitimately 7 or 8 deep for 3 positions. Hard to wear that many down.

Bama is built to stop the run/pro offense. (See LSU; every year) Want to beat Bama? Spread them out and make those big run stuffing LB-ers play coverage against slots and scat backs.

Also cant help but think Smart and UGA is somewhat a distraction for them.


On the other side...Clemson-Oklahoma.

Man everyone knows where my allegiances lie but Im just not sure on this one.
Clemson is tired and the time off will help a lot. Not only do they have the longest win streak in the country they have also played the most consecutive weeks in the country (11 after the early season bye) . Now they get to rest, finally.

But there is some turbulence inside the locker room. Dabo is always positive, the most positive guy Ive ever known. It wears on players though. Plus a surprising number of Juniors are looking at the NFL. A Lot that shouldnt be. Can they focus for 2 more games?

[miami_fan]

Umm... there are 40 bowl games? Really? They can't be all profitable can they?